The debate currently raging in Italy about placing crosses on mountain peaks also spilled over into Tyrol. Alpine Club President Andreas Ermacora said they had a similar opinion as the Italian Alpine Club. No new summit crosses should be erected. But that has less religious reasons. Heavy criticism comes from the ÖVP, from the Minister of Agriculture down.
“The Alpine Club decided 100 years ago not to build any more new paths and huts. The Alps are developed. The statutes mention the preservation of the originality and beauty of the mountains,” Ermacora argued to ORF Tirol. That is why the main committee at the time decided in the 1980s and 1990s not to set up any more new summit crosses. “There are enough. The summit crosses are a cultural asset. Everyone has a different relationship to it. But the religious background is second or third for us,” the Alpine Club President continued. Applications for crosses rejected The Alpine Club sections no longer placed any summit crosses. He can remember that there were two applications for new crosses on mountains belonging to the Alpine Club. But that was rejected. In addition, Ermacora alluded to the fact that setting up the crosses was also a big effort. In addition, the question of liability arises if something happens during the work, according to the lawyer. Existing crosses should remain “We have around 4000 summit crosses in the western and eastern Alps. However, we are not in favor of putting a cross on every elevation. There are also stone mandln or Tibetan prayer flags that can also be used for orientation,” said the President of the Alpine Club. The existing summit crosses should of course remain, emphasized Ermacora. And if an old cross becomes rotten, it will be replaced. “But we don’t need new ones anymore,” said the ÖAV President.ÖVP sharply criticized the ÖAV bossViolent reactions came from the ÖVP – and they were concentrated and sometimes sharp. The black Economic Chamber President Christoph Walser put it most sharply: “This is a completely unnecessary attack on Tyrolean culture and at the same time also damages tourism”. For many guests, the summit crosses are inextricably linked to mountain experiences and are therefore the highlight of numerous hikes and therefore part of a holiday in Tyrol. “Ermacora’s arguments are completely useless – neither the argument of development nor that of security justify these statements,” said Walser. “There is a contrary opinion here,” said the People’s Party. “Summit crosses are part of our Christian tradition and our Alpine culture. Just as the church has its fixed place in every village, summit crosses have become an integral part of our Alpine landscape,” Minister Norbert Totschnig told the President of the Alpine Club, who is also not very far from the ÖVP. The crosses are “a sign of gratitude, spirituality and, from a sporting point of view, a sign that you have reached your goal.” “The summit crosses are part of our mountains and they should stay there,” emphasized the Minister of Agriculture. The Tyrolean ÖVP club chairman Jakob Wolf also spoke out in terms of “pro summit crosses”. “Summit crosses are part of our Tyrolean identity. They are not only distinctive points of orientation and symbolize the summit victory and a challenge that has been mastered, but also represent tradition and belief.” manifested in the mountains.” “For me, such a ban would be tantamount to breaking our alpine traditions,” the club chairman said clearly. “A centuries-old tradition.” And the Tyrolean ÖVP Senior Citizens’ Association also spoke up. “Our country is Christian and the erection of summit crosses has a centuries-old tradition. Of course, setting up a cross involves a great deal of effort. However, one should also consider what an experience it is for each individual hiker to reach one and to be able to sign the summit book,” emphasized state chairwoman and former state councilor Patrizia Zoller-Frischauf started around the crosses. Marco Albino Ferrari, editorial director of the Italian Alpine Club CAI, said crucifixes would not appeal to all mountaineers. “Nobody wants to remove the crosses that have already been put up, but no more should be put up. Mountain peaks are supposed to be neutral territory,” said Ferrari, sparking a heated discussion. The Italian Alpine Club finally rowed back. The topic of the mountain crosses was never up for debate in the Alpine Club, which is why there is no official position on it. Ferrari only expressed his opinion.
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